Skip to main content
Metropolitan State University (Home)

ANSO 302 Gender in Sociocultural Perspective

What is gender? How can we understand differences in gender and sexuality? Through the perspective of cultural anthropology and sociology, students examine how gender is perceived and realized in a range of human societies. Discussions on the biological/cultural determinants of gender are considered. Case studies explore how gender varies cross-culturally and historically and is related to social power. Students engage with contemporary debates surrounding such themes as marriage, family, human rights, inequalities, and sexuality.

Prerequisites

4 Undergraduate credits

Effective May 7, 2025 to present

Meets graduation requirements for

Learning outcomes

General

  • Can analyze the role of sociocultural and multicultural environments in constructing gender ideologies and evaluate resulting social issues and problems.
  • Can evaluate, at an upper division college level, how sociocultural change, inequalities, globalization, economic systems, religion, and identity impact sex and gender.
  • Critically analyzes and writes about, at an upper division college level, gender relations and practices, change and resistance to change, in the global environment.
  • Understands methods and concepts from anthropology, sociology, and related fields used to analyze sex and gender within and across cultures.

Minnesota Transfer Curriculum

Goal 5: History and the Social and Behavioral Sciences

  • Employ the methods and data that historians and social and behavioral scientists use to investigate the human condition.
  • Examine social institutions and processes across a range of historical periods and cultures.
  • Use and critique alternative explanatory systems or theories.
  • Develop and communicate alternative explanations or solutions for contemporary social issues.

Goal 8: Global Perspective

  • Describe and analyze political, economic, and cultural elements which influence relations of states and societies in their historical and contemporary dimensions.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of cultural, social, religious and linguistic differences.
  • Analyze specific international problems, illustrating the cultural, economic, and political differences that affect their solution.
  • Understand the role of a world citizen and the responsibility world citizens share for their common global future.